Zimbabwean contemporary artists Ronald Muchatuta, Kresiah Mukwazhi, Terrence Musekiwa and Wallen Mapondera are up for Venice Biennale showcase beginning in May to November next year in Italy.
The four artists were selected by a jury consisting of curator Fadzai Muchemwa, art critic and artist Nyadzombe Nyampenza, journalist Tinashe Muchuri, investment banker Freda Isingoma, design imaginer Sif X Zilawe, curator Clifford Zulu and Biggie Samwanda, the principal director, arts in the Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation ministry.
Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation minister Kirsty Coventry said the artists chosen out of over 20 names made an impact in global art circles through their works that express their perspective and interpret contemporaneity in an engaging and inventive manner.
“It is because of these trailblazing young and mature artists that Zimbabwe is viewed from a different lens as cultured as our history, as critical in thought as any other nation in the world, and fearless in telling our own stories,” she said.
“The artists selected after a rigorous examination of talent are all mature, with over 10 years of practice and honing their painterly skills and having mass appeal on the international market.
“They will now produce artworks commissioned by the Pavilion of Zimbabwe’s Commissioner, Raphael Chikukwa, to be exhibited at the International Art Exhibition that is slated for May to November of 2022.”